The future is bright at the Oakland Zoo. We have big dreams and plans that will transform the Zoo and put us on the map as one of the most recognized Zoos in the country, especially for our humane treatment of animals and our world-wide conservation efforts.

In addition to our new veterinary hospital and BioDiversity Center, Oakland Zoo plans to break ground on a transformational project, the California Trail in 2014 that will further our commitments to animal care, education, and conservation.

History

Oakland Zoo has been serving the community since 1922 in locations all across Oakland, finally settling in Knowland Park. Our mission is to inspire respect for and stewardship of the natural world, while providing a quality visitor experience. Learn about our history and our success in growing the Zoo from a small personal collection to the gem of the East Bay.

Pre 1800's

Ohlone land

1770-1857

Knowland Park Property was once part of the 100,000 acre Rancho San Antonio, owned by Don Louie and Maria Peralta.

1857-1888

The property was purchased by Ellis A. Haines.

1888-1899

The property title was passed to Frederick Talbot of the famous Talbot and Pope Lumber Company.

1919

The title passed to automobile manufacturer Cliff Durant.

1921

The estate's mansion was destroyed by fire.

1922

Henry A. Snow, recognized as a naturalist, collector, African big game hunter, film producer and museum advocate, established the Oakland Zoo in downtown Oakland. This first Zoo was located at 19th and Harrison in downtown Oakland and was later moved to Sequoia Park (Joaquin Miller Park).

1926

The Durant Park Property title passed to Norman Deveaux.

1932

Bank of America became title holder after Mr. Deveaux experienced financial difficulty.

1936

The Alameda County Botanical and Zoological Society was founded as a support organization for the Zoo. Eventually, the Society was renamed the East Bay Zoological Society (EBZS). Over time, this organization became more heavily involved in the development and administration of the Zoo.

1939

Oakland Zoo was moved from Joaquin Miller Park to Durant Park. The City provided an annual budget of $4800 to care for the Zoo.

1948

Under Joseph P. Knowland, Chairman of the California State Park Commission, the State purchased 453 acres for $660,000 on a matching grant basis and the property became a State Park on April 30, 1948.

1949

In December, the State of California, through the California Department of Parks and Recreation, leased the property to the City of Oakland for a period of fifty years. The City, in turn, subleased the property to the Society.

1950

In December, the property's name was changed to Joseph Knowland State Arboretum and Park due to Mr. Knowland's dedicated efforts to secure the land for recreational use.

1956

Concessionaire contract with John Clark went into effect for the food stands and rides.

1957-1961

The General Manager of the City Parks Commission, William Penn Mott, Jr., directed major efforts toward improving and developing the Zoo and Park. The first major addition was construction of a new elephant enclosure for Miss Effie the elephant, at a total cost of $15,000. The move to relocate the animal collection from the lower Park to the present site began.

1965

The Baby Zoo opened under the management of Lutz Ruhe.

1975

Knowland State Park was conveyed to the City of Oakland and negotiations began between the City and the Society.

1977

The Society purchased the rides and food concessions from John Clark and The Baby Zoo from Lutz Ruhe.

1982

In August, a major turning point in the Zoo's development occurred when the City of Oakland gave the Society, a nonprofit organization, the responsibility of managing the entire Park and Zoo. The Society signed a ten-year management contract with an option to extend in 1992.

1982-1984

William Penn Mott, Jr., serving as Director of the Society, led the Zoo into a new era of growth and development. Through his efforts, a Master Plan for the Zoo was generated, an Assistant Director/Veterinarian was hired, a fully-equipped animal hospital was established and numerous renovations made on facilities and exhibits throughout the Zoo and Park.

1985

Assistant Director Joel J. Parrott, DVM was appointed Executive Director. An even more aggressive development plan was implemented and over the next 20 years a complete renovation of the Zoo occurred in 6 phases.

1987

The Oakland Zoo's Education Department was established to provide school and community groups with on-site classes and a Zoomobile outreach program. Today this department serves over 50,000 students annually. Construction finished on the new Hamadryas Baboon Exhibit.

1988

Two milestones were passed. First, the Zoo established a secure funding base through an operational subsidy from the City of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Park District. Funding for capital improvements was provided by Bond Measure AA. Secondly, the Zoo was accredited by the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA), ranking the Oakland Zoo in the top 27% of zoos nationwide. The new Chimpanzee Exhibit was completed.

1989

In October, following a successful fund raising campaign that raised $820,000 in private contributions, a one-acre African Elephant Exhibit was completed. The exhibit, "Mahali Pa Tempo" (Swahili for "Place of the Elephant") is a spacious representation of the elephants' natural habitat and has received national recognition.

In December, Gibbon Island was dedicated. The pair of White-handed gibbons now have a spacious, lush island home complete with 40-foot tall trees and a river moat.

1992

In January, a 1.5 acre African Lion Exhibit "Simba Pori" (Swahili for "Lion County") opened. A pride of six lions is now residing in a savanna and woodland setting complete with kopje rock structures and a pond. The exhibit can be seen from two large viewing decks. In June, Flamingo Plaza, located at the front entrance to the Zoo, opened. The exhibit is home to 11 Lesser Flamingos, several African Spoonbills and furnishes ample visitor seating around much of its perimeter.

1993

In December, the Siamang Island Exhibit was dedicated.

1994

In March, the Society signed a renewal contract with the City of Oakland to continue their management of the Zoo to the year 2004.

1996

In May, the Malayan Sun Bear Exhibit was dedicated. December marked the completion of the Capital Campaign which raised over $3.9 million to fund the Maddie's Center for Science and Environmental Education.

1997

The Administration Office Building was completed at the end of May. Renovation work in the Children's Rides Area was completed in the summer. The work included a new food service building, seating area, ticket booth, and refurbished rides.

1998

The African Village opened in April. The Village features eleven animal exhibits and highlights eighteen animal species of the savanna. The buildings in the area replicate a Kikuyu village, and the landscaping contains over seventy-five plant species from South and East Africa. Authentic African artwork, cultural exhibits in the nimbia hut, and, periodically, South African dance and music bring the village to life.

1999

The grand opening for the Maddie's Center for Science and Environmental Education was held in March. The 17,500 square-foot Education Center features: four classrooms, an auditorium, a library, and a theater, as well as offices for the Education Department and Docents.

2000

In May, the Warthog exhibit opened and furnishes our pair of warthogs with a large grassy area to explore.

2001

On June 28, the "Karibu Village", the main entrance pavilion, officially opened. The 20,000 square-foot project includes a new gift shop, restaurant, membership office, restrooms and outdoor dining area. Other amenities include five new ticket windows and a handcrafted archway sign to greet visitors. The wood frame and stucco complex was designed to simulate the African coastal village of Lamu, off the coast of Kenya. The Tiger exhibit's renovation/expansion was completed in July. In addition to expanding the exhibit area, a new waterfall and rockwork over the night house were created. The night house was enlarged, and a new visitor viewing deck was added.

2001

In October, the Squirrel Monkeys moved into a spacious new Rainforest exhibit complete with naturalistic rockwork, vines, climbing structures and lush foliage.

2002

A new, endangered species carousel was installed in the Rides Area in the spring of 2002. Also in that year, new restrooms were built, a parking lot was added to the lower park, and a new giraffe barn was built.

2003

In August, the old Children's Zoo was demolished to make way for construction of the new Children's Zoo, scheduled for completion in the summer of 2005.

2004

The African elephant exhibit, “Mahali Pa Tembo”, was expanded from one acre to six-and-a-half acres. All 6.5 acres is usable space for the Zoo’s four African elephants.

2005

In July, the Wayne and Gladys Valley Children's Zoo was completed. Representing the largest renovation and construction in the zoo's history, this three-acre area features: Tortoise; Ring-tailed Lemur; Otter; Malayan Fruit Bats; Alligator; Rabbit; and Pot-bellied Pig exhibits, as well as a Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Room (RAD); Bug House; and Goat & Sheep Barn and petting yard. Also found in the Valley Children's Zoo is a common area with play structures; the Wilds Discovery Area with pathway and stream; Lily Pad Walk and a new amphitheater. The entry showcases artwork of cement snakes on which to sit, tall brass blades of grass through which to walk, as well as cement eggs and assorted brass bugs which can be discovered on paths, steps and walls throughout the Valley Children's Zoo.

2006

In response to the our mission to provide access to the whole community, the Oakland Zoo launched Zoo-to-Community, with the goal of providing free Zoo admission and transportation to qualified schools, daycare and Head Start programs, early childhood development centers and community organizations. In its first six months of operation, the Zoo-to-Community program exceeded its goal of booking and visiting twenty-five Head Start classrooms by more than 100%.

2007

The clean up and restoration of the Arroyo Viejo creek, which runs through the Zoo, was completed. New additions include 6 outdoor classrooms, instructional signage, shoring up of the creek banks, and removal of non-native species. Eucalyptus trees that were removed were reused to create the outdoor classroom spaces.

2008

Renovation on the Women's Hut in the African Village was completed and a reopening ceremony was held.

2009

Baboon Cliffs exhibit opened. The 8,100 square foot exhibit includes a cascading waterfall, climbing structures, a spacious area for the baboons to roam, a night house facility, and offices for Zoo staff.

2010

Grand Opening of Wild Australia, the exhibit is accessible via the Outback Express Adventure Train. It's a journey through an Australian themed exhibit which features wallaroos and emus.

2011

“Quarters for Conservation”, a newly instituted program challenges guests upon entering the Zoo to actively participate in conserving wildlife by donating 25 cents to one of our partner conservation organizations worldwide. Instituted support for fourteen new conservation projects in the wild.

In partnership with the Ventana Wildlife Society, Oakland Zoo installs the first-ever live-streaming California condor cam in the wild and also made a commitment to help rehabilitate sick or injured condors by building The Steve and Jackie Kane Condor Recovery Center, a facility specifically designed to treat the massive sized birds. A new Biodiversity Center was also opened in 2013, serving as a breeding, research, and education facility devoted to the conservation of endangered and threatened animals, plants and habitats. The Zoo’s “Quarters for Conservation” program hits the $100,000 mark in raising funds for wildlife conservation program partners worldwide.

2014

Renovation of the “Rides Area” and a new ride, “Serengeti Safari” was completed. The new look and feel of “Adventure Landing” is complimented with an entertainment area and new branding throughout.